MILWAUKEE -- Former Milwaukee County Supervisor Peggy West was charged on Monday, July 23 with felony election fraud after prosecutors say she falsified information on her nomination papers.

West served on the county board for the past 14 years -- representing the county's south side. On Monday afternoon, West appeared in court on the felony charge.

A review of West's papers show numerous discrepancies, a criminal complaint filed Monday morning alleges. Among them: five people whose signatures appear say they never signed, and a property manager says one woman whose signature appears moved to Florida four years ago.

Peggy West

Another 16 people said they did sign, but West was not the one who circulated the papers. That is an issue because West signed the pages as the circulator, the criminal complaint indicates.

"Peggy has worked really hard for her constituents over the last 14 years," said Michael Maistelman, West's attorney.

Peggy West

"She's supporting her family. She's, like I said, proudly served her constituents for so many years and she's keeping her head up and doing the best she can."West faces more than three years in prison if convicted on the charge.

"She's supporting her family. She's, like I said, proudly served her constituents for so many years and she's keeping her head up and doing the best she can," Maistelman said.

West's political opponent who won the election brought her doubts about the validity of the signatures on West's nomination papers to the attention of the Election Commission.

Sylvia Ortiz-Velez

"I was very shocked that Mrs. West is being accused of making up names. It saddens me that happened," said Sylvia Ortiz-Velez.

As West and her supporters left the courtroom until the next hearing in August, the current supervisor in her former seat said the process is important.

"I think it's important because our elections are important and the integrity of the elections are important. Whether it's now or later, the integrity of our elections are important," said Ortiz-Velez.

Ortiz-Velez said the signatures that seemed sketchy to her at the time were gathered inside of a locked senior citizen center. She said that made it difficult for her to investigate and challenge at the time.

Peggy West

West waived her preliminary hearing on Monday and is due in court on Aug. 8 for an arraignment. A $5,000 signature bond has been set in the case.